Festivals in Ireland

The list below is provided for those who wish to see the singing tradition at its best, as well as for those that wish to learn the art of traditional singing. Americans calling Ireland should note: the phone numbers below should be preceded by the international access code (011) and the country code for Ireland (353).

This listing makes no pretensions to completeness. If you know of other important workshops or festivals left off this list, feel free to contact me. Although this information is as accurate as I could make it, it is always advisable to confirm with the contact listed before making unalterable plans.

Temple Bar Trad Irish Music and Culture Festival ( January 23-27, 2008 )
Temple Bar Cultural Quarter
Dublin , Ireland
Contact: Brian Doyle
Phone: 1 6772397
Email: info@tascq.ie
Website: http://www.templebartrad.com/home.php
This new festival is sponsored by local organization TASCQ (Traders in
the Area Supporting the Cultural Quarter)
as a not-for-profit venture. Among the performers scheduled to appear
this year are Sinead Caher, Roisin Elsafty
and Scottish singer Julie Fowlis.

Rosslare Traditional Singers Weekend ( February 1-3, 2008 )
Rosslare Harbour and environs
Rosslare, Co Wexford
Contact: Phil Berry
Phone: 53 9142909
Email: pberry46@gmail.com
The festival focuses on a gathering of like minded singers and listeners
who sing songs for the weekend.
Seminars, workshops, teachers, and coach trips to historical and
interesting areas also will be available.

Inishowen Singers' Circle Weekend ( March 7-10, 2008 )
The Ballyliffin Hotel
Inishowen, Co. Donegal
Contact: Kevin McGonigle
Phone: 74 937896
Email: inishowenseminar@eircom.net
Website: http://tradsongs.com/inishowen
This year's theme is "Where'd You Get That One: The Journey of Song
Through Tradition.” Guests include
Luke Cheevers (Co. Dublin, a founding member of An Goilin Singers'
Club), Gerry Cullen (Co. Louth, a member of
the Voice Squad), Kate Forde (Co. Donegal, 2007 All Ireland Senior
Ladies Singing Champion) and Mick Quinn
(Co. Armagh, a major influence on traditional singers in Counties Armagh
and Louth). Also appearing will be
Mike O'Leary-Johns ( Wales ), Ben Lang ( Cornwall ), Geordie McIntyre
( Scotland ) and Nicholas Carolan
(Director of the Irish Traditional Music Archive in Dublin , a renowned
authority on traditional music and song).
Registration Fee (40 Euro) includes all talks, sessions, Saturday
evening meal and Sunday evening refreshments.
Website includes details concerning accommodations in the area.

Féile Chomortha Joe Éinniú = Joe Heaney Commemorative Festival (May 2-4, 2008)
Carna, Connemara, Co. Galway
Contact: Micheál Ó Cuaig
Phone: 095 33 599 (or 095 33613 before 3pm)
Email: michealocuaig@hotmail.com
Website:
http://www.discoverireland.com/us/ireland-events/listings/?fid=FI_61594
Carna village lies approx. 80 km (48 miles) west of Galway City - along
the coast road through Spiddal,
Casla, Scríb and Cill Chiaráin. Alternatively, take the Clifden road
through Moycullen, Oughterard, Maam Cross,
Scríb and Cill Chiaráin. Carna is approx. 40 km (24 miles) south of Clifden.

Féile Shean Nóis Thoraigh (May 9-11, 2008)
Tory Island,
Co. Donegal
Contact: Mr. Pat Doohan
Phone: 07491-35920
Email: ostantory@eircom.net


Fleadh Nua ( May 18-26, 2008 )
Ennis, Co. Clare
Email: ceoltrad@eircom.net
Website: http://fleadhnua.com
A festival of traditional music, the Fleadh begins with a program of
free weekday lunchtime concerts,
afternoon workshops and nightly sessions. The weekend is full of music
sessions, singing workshops, storytelling
workshops, etc.

Blas International Summer School of Irish Traditional Music and Dance
(June 23-July 4, 2008)
University of Limerick
Limerick, Co. Limerick
Contact: Carl Corcoran
Phone: 61 213431
Email: carl.corcoran@ul.ie
Website: http://www.ul.ie/~iwmc/Blas/index.html
As the name implies, Blas is a two-week intensive school of music, song
and dance offered by the Irish
World Academy of Music and Dance. Most classes are no larger than 6 or 7
students to one instructor. The singing
tutors for 2008 include Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh (lead singer of Danú) and
Iarla Ó Lionáird.

Dr. Douglas Hyde Summer School of Traditional Irish Music (July 5-12, 2008)
Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon
Phone: 86 8272300
Email: ssch@douglashyde.com
Website: http://www.douglashyde.com
Workshops include instruction in sean nos singing, led by Mairead Ni
Fhlatharta, and traditional
English-language singing, led by Pat Prunty. Classes most mornings 9:30
AM to 1:30 PM. Full program includes
concerts, recitals, sessions, etc.

South Sligo Summer School (July 13-19, 2008)
Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo
Phone: 071-9120912 [or] 071-85090
Email: southsligosummerschool@eircom.net
Web site: http://www.sssschool.org

Traditional Echoes in Song and Dance (July 21-30, 2008)
Inishmore, Aran Islands, Co. Galway
Contact: Elizabeth Zollinger Phone: 99-61424 [or] 41 (0)44 252 09 18
Email: info@irish-culture.ch
Web site: http://www.irish-culture.ch/eng2/irish_singing_dancing_prog_a.htm
Ten-day and nine-night immersion in traditional Irish song and dance on
the Aran Islands. Cost includes
sessions with old and young traditional singers. The second phone number
above is to Switzerland , so the
country code included (41) MUST be dialed when calling from the United
States .

Joe Mooney Annual Summer School ( July 19-26, 2008 )
Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim
Contact: Nancy Woods
Phone: 071 9641213
Email: nancywoods@iol.ie
Web site: http://www.joemooneysummerschool.com
Details for the 2008 School have not been finalized as this is written.
Instructors for 2007 included Rosie
Stewart, Mai Hernon, and Antaine O'Faracháin.

Dun Laoghaire Festival of Traditional Music ( August 1-3, 2008 )
Pavilion Theatre
Marine Road
Dun Laoghaire , Co. Dublin
Phone: 01 2312929
Website: http://www.paviliontheatre.ie
Schedule for 2008 not available as this is written. Featured 2007
performers included traditional singers
Róisín Elsafty, Breda Mayock and Caoimhe Hogarty. Each evening followed
by a post-gig session at the
Gastropub Company.

Queen Maeve International Summer School ( August 4-9, 2008 )
Sligo, Co. Sligo
Contact: Carmel Gunning
Phone: 71 9162008
E-mail: carmelgunning@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.carmelgunning.com/ list.asp?listid=60
The Queen Maeve Summer School offers classes in Irish traditional music, sean nos singing, and sean nos dancing.
Traditional singing workshops in English and Irish will be offered by instructors Seamus O'Dubhthaigh and Carmel Gunning.

Feakle International Traditional Music Festival (August 13-17, 2008)Feakle, Co. Clare
Contact: Karen Breen
Phone: 061 924 150
Email: karenbreen@unison.ie
Web site: http://www.feaklefestival.ie

Eigse Mrs. Crotty Festival (August 13-17, 2008)
Kilrush, Co. Clare
Contact: John Kennedy (Chairman)
Phone: 87 222 9518 (cell)
Email: eigsemrscrottykilrush@eircom.net
Website: http://www.eigsemrscrotty.com/index.htm
While mainly a festival to honor concertina playing, the 2006 and 2007
festivals included traditional singing
workshops led by acclaimed singer Tim Dennehy, as well as singer
sessions. Schedule for 2008 not established
as this is written.

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann (August 17-24, 2008)
Tullamore, Co. Offaly
Email: info@fleadh2008.com
Web site: http://www.comhaltas.com/fleadh/eireann.htm [or]
http://www.fleadh2008.com
This yearly festival of Irish traditional music, song and dance is
preceded by Scoil  Eigse (August 17-22), a
summer school of traditional Irish music in all its dimensions,
including sean nos singing and traditional
singing in English. Sponsored by Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, the Fleadh
Cheoil is Ireland 's premier
traditional festival. The organising committee is aiming for over
250,000 visitors and 11,000 musicians
to attend.

Frank Harte Festival ( September 19-21, 2008 )
Teacher's Club (Club na Muinteoiri)
36 Parnell Square West
Dublin, Co. Dublin
Email: angoilin@goilin.com
Web site: http://www.goilin.com/frank _harte/frank_harte.php
The festival began in 2006 to honor the contributions of legendary
traditional singer Frank Harte (1933-2005). The 2008 schedule not set as
this is written.
The 2007 featured Karan Casey (Co. Waterford), Luke Cheevers (Co.
Dublin), Seán Corcoran (Co. Louth),
Alannah Henderson (Co. Tyrone), Ron Kavana (Co. Cork), Annie Armstrong
(Co. Waterford), Mick Coyne (Co. Clare),
Dave Hennessy (Co. Cork), Jim MacFarland (Co. Derry), Mick Moloney
(originally Co. Limerick, now New York City),
Maighread and Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill (originally Co. Donegal, now Co.
Meath), Len Graham (originally Co.
Antrim, now Co. Armagh). Workshops €10.00 payable on the day. Grand
concer €20.00 admission by ticket only.
Schedule at the web site.

Sligo Traditional Singing Weekend (October 3-5, 2008)
Yeats Country Hotel
Rosses Point, Co. Sligo

Contact: Frank Finn Phone: 071 9169202 (Home), 085 1745625 (Mobile)
Email: tradsing@eircom.net
Website: http://www.sligotradsingers.ie
This is the 2nd annual Sligo Singers Festival, a weekend long event of
singing workshops, informal singing sessions, audio and video
presentations, scholarly talks and a boat trip. A top class line-up of the finest singers in Ireland and abroad. Check website for details

South Roscommon Singers Festival ( October 24-27, 2008 )
Knockcroghery, Co. Roscommon
Contact: Declan Coyne [or]
Phone: 087 966 7029 (Declan, cell)
Email: dhalon2@eircom.net
Website: http://www.dhalonproductions.ie/singers031.htm
The 2008 schedule is not settled as this is written. The 2007 Festival
featured Mick Moloney, Con O'Drisceoil,
( Cork ), Tim Dennehy (Kerry), Aileen Lambert (Wexford), Jim Kearney
(Wicklow), the Offaly Singers Clubs and more.
More details will be available on the website later in the year. The
Festival will open the evening before
(October 23rd) with the 3rd Annie McNulty Seminar (at the Roscommon
County Library). The seminar focuses on the
theme of Irish-American entertainment Contact details for the Seminar
are the same as the festival.

Oireachtas na Gaelige (October 29-November 2, 2008)
Cork, Co. Cork
Phone: +353 1 475 3857
Email: eolas@antoireachtas.ie
Web site: http://www.antoireachtas.ie/samhain.html
Foremost annual competition in sean nos singing. Dates and venue for
this year's Oireachtas are not established
as of this writing. Emailing the contact is recommended.

Ballintogher Music Festival (October 31-November 2, 2008)
Ballintogher, Co. Sligo
Contact: Teresa McCormack
Phone: 0 71 916 4250
Email: ballintoghercommunity@eircom.net
Website: http://homepage.eircom.net/~fredfinn/Home.html [then click on
the Festival link]
The Festival is sponsored by the Fred Finn Chapter of Comhaltas
Ceoltoiri Eireann. The lineup for 2008 is not
established as of this writing. The 2007 singing workshop was led by
Cian Kearns.

Geordie Hanna Traditional Singing Weekend (November 9-11, 2008)
Derrytresk GAC, Co. Tyrone
Northern Ireland
Organisers: Ailish Hanna [or] Jim Hanna
Phone: 28 79634467 (Ailish) [or] 28 87748982 (Jim)
Email: hannaderryvarne@hotmail.com (Ailish)

Ennis Trad Festival (November 13,-17, 2008)
Ennis, Co. Clare
Phone: 87 625 8726
Email: contact@ennistradfestival.com
Website: http://www.ennistradfestival.com/index.html
The workshop schedule for 2008 is not complete as of this writing. The
2007 sean nos workshops in Irish and
English was led by Antaine O'Fearrachain.

Eigse Dhiarmuid O' Shuilleabhain (December 30-November 2, 2007)
Coolea, Co. Cork
Contact:  Eilis Ni Shuilleabhain (Phone: 026 45366)
Rachel Ni Riada (Phone: 026 45430)
Noirin Ui Dhalaigh (Phone: 066 7126201)
Email: info@eigsedhiarmuidin.ie
Web site: http://www.eigsedhiarmuidin.ie
The workshop and concert details for 2007 are as yet undecided but will
be posted when available.  The 2007
English-language singing workshop was led by Róisín White. The sean nos
workshop was led by Eoiní Maidhcí
Ó Súilleabháin. Featured concert includes appearance by Len Graham.

Frankie Kennedy Winter School ( December 27, 2007-January 2, 2008)
Dunlewey, Gweedore, Co. Donegal
Contact: Anna Ni Mhaonaigh
Phone: 087 930 9656
E-mail beanana@eircom.net
Established to honor a founder of renowned Irish group Altan, the School
does include a workshop on sean nos
singing. The 2007 teacher was Dominic MacGiolla Bhríde. Program also
includes performances by Julie Fowlis
(South Uist, Scotland ), Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh (Co. Kerry), and sisters
Maighread and Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill
(Co. Donegal).

Festivals in the United States

Songs, Tunes and Supper (February 10, 2008, 3-8 PM)
Oakhurst House
Whitinsville, Massachusetts
Contact: Stephanie Gant
Phone: (508) 966-2450 (leave a message)
Email: sgant@remgant.net [or] rsvp@songstunesandsupper.org
"Songs, Tunes and Supper, a fireside music party with Robbie O'Connell,
Michael O'Leary, Kate Chadbourne and
Little Windows Duo Julee Glaub and Mark Weems. Concert sets at 5:45 .
There will also be a song circle.
Cost is $10.00 or contribute something to the potluck dinner.

Celebration of Sean Nos Singing (February 15-17, 2008)
Center for Celtic Studies
University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Phone: (414) 229-6520
Email: celtic@uwm.edu
Website: http://www.uwm.edu/Dept/celtic/seannos.html

Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann North American Convention (March 27-30, 2008)
Parsippany Hilton
Parsippany, New Jersey
Contact: Paul Keating [or] Tom Vesey
Phone: 201-722-0059 (Paul) (or) 973-977-8863 (Tom)
Email: Convention2008@comhaltas.net
Website: http://www.cceconvention2008.org
Schedule includes Traditional Singing workshop led by Louise Walsh Kitt.

Catskills Irish Arts Week ( July 13-19, 2008 )
Michael J. Quill Irish Cultural and Sports Centre
P.O. Box 320
East Durham , New York 12423
Contact: Paul Keating/Artistic Director
Phone: (800)-434-FEST (3378) or 518-634-2286
Email: irishartsweek@gmail.com
Website: http://www.east-durham.org/irishartsweek/
Roisin White returns to teach traditional English-language singing. Also
featured is Aran Islander
Lasairfhiona Ni Chonaola teaching Irish-language singing and Con Fada
O'Drisceoil (Cork), who is offering a
class in humorous song-writing based on his recent publication, "The
Spoons Murder." Daithi Sproule, Pat Egan
and Robbie O'Connell will be on staff teaching guitar and performances
classes but will be singing at the
nightly singing sessions

Irish Week (July 20-25, 2008)
Augusta Heritage Center Davis and Elkins College
100 Campus Drive
Elkins, West Virginia 26241
Phone: (800) 624-3157, ext. 1209 [OR] (304) 637-1209
Email: augusta@augustaheritage.com
Web site: http://www.augustaheritage.com/irish.html
Teachers not available as of this writing. Last year's instructors
included Jim Flanagan and Tim Dennehy
(traditional songs and ballads) and Bridget Fitzgerald (Irish singing).
"In the evening participants may join
lively sessions or swap ballads."

Swannanoa Traditional Song Week (July 6-12, 2008)
Warren Wilson College
P.O. Box 9000
Asheville, North Carolina 28815-9000
Phone: (828) 298-3434
Email: gathering@warren-wilson.edu
Web site: http://www.swangathering.org
Commencing in 2008, this new Swanannoa festival is completely devoted to
traditional styles of singing in
varying traditions (including Appalachian, Irish, Scottish, Gospel,
Shape Note,  Honky Tonk, etc.).  Instructors
include Daithi Sproule (Traditional Song in the Irish language, and
Irish song in the English language) and Ed
Miller (Scottish song). Special guest this year, Jean Ritchie, is a
giant in American folk song and a
collector of Irish song. In 1952-53, during her Fulbright Year in
Britain and Ireland , Jean and her
photographer husband, George Pickow, photographed and collected songs
from such giants of Irish traditional song
as Elizabth Cronin and Sarah Makem. The results of that effort are today
collected in the Ritchie-Pickow Archive
at University College Galway.

Swannanoa Gathering Celtic Week ( July 13-19, 2008 )
Warren Wilson College
P.O. Box 9000
Asheville , North Carolina 28815-9000
Phone: (828) 298-3434
Email: gathering@warren-wilson.edu
Web site: http://www.swangathering.org
Featured instructors for 2008 are not announced as of this writing, but
are expected to include John Doyle and
Margaret Bennett. Instructors for 2007 included Irish singer Sean Keane,
former Cherish the Ladies singer Aoife
Clancy, and Scots balladeer Jim Malcolm.

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©2008 Christopher Brennan. All rights reserved.